Lacrosse Origins

Welcome! Because lacrosse is still very much a growing sport, I’ve decided to share a little bit about the origins of the sport because that is a unique story. Many people do not know this but lacrosse first originated in North America where it was played by Native Americans as early as the 17thcentury. Although the game was much different than it is now, lacrosse sticks and balls were used by members of opposing teams.

Unlike today where the outdoor game features 10 players from each team on the field at a time, the Native Americans would play with as many as 1,000 players on a team from opposing villages or tribes. Also, these games would last several days and be played in vast plains where goals could be found 6 miles apart. Although this sounds like a ludacris way to play the sport, it was often used as a way to settle disputes between tribes or villages without having to be violent or deadly. Lacrosse was also seen as a way to toughen young Native Americans and turn them into warriors for combat.

Lacrosse was also used as a medicine game in which players would participate for the pleasure of the Creator, who is one of their many gods. While playing lacrosse, the Native’s believed to be healing their own soul as well as pleasing the Creator. As you can see, the benefits of Native’s playing lacrosse spanned from toughening up young kids and settling disputes, to healing oneself and pleasing their Creator in the process. The sport of lacrosse has grown and changed vastly since then, but the origins of lacrosse will never change!

Native Americans Playing Lacrosse